The Big 6 - Thursday 3rd December

Every evening at 6 O Clock WLR brings you the 6 biggest stories of the day

Student nurses who lost employment due to Covid-19 will be eligible for pandemic unemployment payments. The Irish Nursing and Midwives Organisation had raised the issue of loss of income among student nurses due to fewer opportunities for part-time work, particularly in nursing homes.

The report, which was expected to be published in recent weeks, will now not go before Cabinet until the week commencing January 11th, the Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman said.

The presence of an air ambulance service to respond to an urgent health problem for an 80-year-old Cappoquin man ultimately saved his life, his son has claimed. Blake Massey, from Cappoquin, suffered two strokes and a seizure and would not have survived the road journey from the West Waterford town to Cork University Hospital, according to his son Richard.

A new ‘south plaza’ area is to be created around the Clock Tower in Waterford. Waterford City and County Council has purchased the land, which is currently in use as a car park with 139 spaces, under the compulsory purchase order scheme.

Members from the Performing Arts sector of Ireland held a silent socially-distant protest outside Leinster House today, over the continued closure of their businesses. The group includes dance school owners, drama and stage school owners, dance teachers, professional dancers and more.

The Office of Public Works have announced that they will not be allowing visitors into the tomb at Newgrange this year to view the Winter Solstice sunrise. For the first time the event on 21st December will now be live streamed. The tomb, which is around 5,200 years old, is a popular destination for tourists but is closed due to Covid-19.